Rock cutter assembly

ABSTRACT

A cutter wheel is mounted for rotation about an elongated support shaft which is interconnected between a pair of relatively large diameter side caps. Base portions of the side caps snugly fit within recesses formed in side members of a mounting frame. The side caps include narrower exposed portions in their extent outwardly of the recesses. Retainer members secured to said side members overhang said recesses to contact and bear against the base portions of the side caps. At least some of the retainer members are detachable from said end members so that they can be removed to permit installation of the side caps into, or removal out from, said recesses.

United States atent- 1191 Sugden Jan. 22, 1974 ROCK CUTTER ASSEMBLY3,601,207 8/1971 Coski 175/364 Inventor: David B'sugdemTasmania3,612,196 10/1971 Dixon 175/364 Austraha Primary Examiner-Manuel A.Antonakas [73] Assignee: The Robbins Company, Seattle, AssistantExaminer-Barry Grossman Wash.

22 Filed: May 1, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT Appl. No.: 249,364

US. Cl 308/15, 175/364, 308/82,

A cutter wheel is mounted for rotation about an elongated support shaftwhich is interconnected between a pair of relatively large diameter sidecaps. Base portions of the side caps snugly fit within recesses formedin side members of a mounting frame. The side caps include narrowerexposed portions in their extent outwardly of the recesses. Retainermembers secured to said side members overhang said recesses to contactand bear against the base portions of the side caps At least some of theretainer members are detachable from said end members so that they canbe removed to permit installation of the side caps into, or removal outfrom, said recesses.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEU JANZZIQH I sum 2 or z I 1 01 5 i 5zo 60 ZZZ moms CUTTER ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field ofthe Invention This invention relates to rock cutter wheel assemblies,and in particular to mounting structure for the cutter wheel.

2. Description of the Prior Art Various ways have been proposed and/orused for mounting rock cutter wheels. One type of mount utilizes anaxially removable load pin which spans the space between opposite endportions of a mounting saddle. Examples of these mounts are disclosed byUS. Pat. No. 3,389,760, granted June 25, 1968 to Wilford V. Morris, andby US. Pat. No. 3,449,024, granted June 10, 1969 to Carl L. Lichte.Another known mount utilizes clamps and bolts for securing a support pinor shaft to the end standards. Examples of this type of mount aredisclosed by US. Pat. No. 3,216,513, granted Nov. 9, 1965 to Richard 1.Robbins and Douglas F. Winberg, and by US. Pat. No. 3,612,196, grantedOct. 12, 1971 to Robert L. Dixon. U.S. Pat. No. 3,612,196 also disclosesa mount for a gauge cutter of a type which includes a mounting socketformed in a radially outer end standard. Such socket is arranged toreceive an end portion of the cutter support shaft or pin, with theopposite end of such shaft or pin being secured to the other endstandard by means of the clamps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The principal object of this invention is toprovide a 'novel mounting structure for a rock cutter wheel adapted toshorten the axial dimension of the cutter assembly.

According to the invention, the rock cutter wheel is supported forrotation about an elongated support shaft. Such shaft is interconnectedbetween a pair of side caps which serve as mounts, retainers for thebearings, and help define seal chambers at the opposite sides of thecutter wheel. These side caps have base portions which are receivedwithin recesses formed in a pair of spaced apart end members. Theexposed portions of the side caps located outwardly of the recesses arenarrower than the base portions. Retainer members connected to the endmembers overhang the recesses to contact and bear against the baseportions of the side caps.

preferably, the recesses and the base portions of the side caps aresemicircular in shape. The exposed portions of the side caps are alsosemicircular in shape but of a smaller diameter, resulting in theformation of shoulders where the base and exposed portions meet.Preferably also, the retainer members on one end of the recess areremovable so that the cutter subassembly (the cutter wheel, the supportshaft, the side caps, etc.) can be inserted into or removed from therecesses while the opposite end retainer members are still secured tothe end members.

Other features, characteristics and advantages of the present inventionare discussed in, or will be apparent from, the following description oftypical and therefore nonlimitive embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing like elementdesignations refer to like parts, and:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a cutter assembly incor porating thepresent invention, taken from above and looking toward one side and oneend of the assembly, and showing one of the retainer members in spacedrelationship to its assembled position;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the cutter assemy;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the cutter assemy;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the cutter assembly; and

FIG. 5 is an axial sectional view taken through the cutter assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT The illustratedembodiment of cutter assembly comprises a mounting frame 10 adapted tosupport a cutter wheel subassembly 112 on a cutter carrier 14 (e.g. thecutterhead of a tunneling machine). For purposes of description thedirection of travel of the cutter wheel will be used for determiningdirectional terminology. That is to say, the end members I6, 18 are theportions of the frame 10 which move along the path of the cutterassembly. The side members 20, 22 are directed laterally of the path oftravel.

Semicircular recesses 24, 26 are formed in the side members 20, 22. Thecenters of curvature of the recesses 24, 26 lie on a line whichcoincides with the axis of rotation x.

Retainer member shelves 28 are provided adjacent the recesses 24, 26 atone end of the frame 10. Like shelves 30 are provided adjacent therecesses at the opposite end of the frame 10.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the cutter wheel subassembly comprises a pairof side caps 32, 34 having base portions 36, 38 sized to be snuglyreceived within the recesses 24. 26. These side caps 32, 34 also includeexposed portions 40, 42 which extend outwardly beyond the recesses 24,26. Owing to this difference in radius between the base and exposedportions of the side caps, radial surfaces or shoulders 44, 46 exist onthe base portion where the base portions meets the exposed portions. Asbest shown by FIGS. 1-3, when the side caps 32, 34 are located withinthe recesses 24, 26 the surfaces 44, 46 are in coplanar parallelism withthe surfaces 28. 30. Retainer members 48, 50 are mounted on the shelves28. 30. These retainer members 48, 50 include inwardly projectingportions 52, 54 which overhang the recesses and which contact and bearagainst the surfaces 44, 46 of the side caps 32, 34. The term exposedportion is used herein to mean that portion of each side cap which isnot snugly housed within a recess 24, 26, but rather projects outwardlyfrom the recess. A narrower meaning of the word exposed" is notintended.

In the illustrated embodiment the retainer members 48, 50 are shown tobe removably secured to the frame 10 by means of machine bolts 56.However, in some installation either the retainer members 48 or theretainer members 50 may be integral portions of the frame 10. Sucharrangement is permissible because the difference in radius between thebase and exposed portions of the side caps 32, 34 makes it possible tomove the side caps 32, 34 into or out from the recesses 24, 26 with onlyone pair of the retainer members 48, 50 removed. The cutter subassemblyI2 is merely rotated to place the smaller radius portions 40, 42 of theside caps 32, 34 adjacent the installed retainer members 48, 50 duringmovement of the cutter subassembly 12 into or out from the recesses 24,26.

Referring again to FIG. 5, coaxial openings 58, 60 are provided in theside caps 32, 34. These openings 58, 60 are sized to snugly receive acentral mounting shaft or pin 62 for the cutter wheel. One end of theshaft 62 is provided with an enlarged diameter head portion 64 whichfits into a countersink 66 formed in the side cap 32. A removable plate68 is secured to the opposite end of shaft 62 by means of a plurality ofbolts 70. Plate 68 extends into a countersink 72 formed in side cap 34.A pair of combination bearings 74, are mounted on the shaft 62 betweenthe side caps 32, 34. As shown by FIG. 5, these bearings 74 may eachcomprise a relatively fixed inner race, a rotating outer race and aplurality of tapered roller elements located between such races. Thecutter wheel itself may comprise an annular rim 76 having an internalspacer rib 78 which is disposed between the two outer races of thebearings. Rim 76 supports a replaceable cutter ring or tire" 80 whichmay be secured in place by a retainer ring 82.

A seal chamber is provided on each side of the cutter wheel preferablyto receive radial face seals of the type disclosed by the aforementionedU. S. Pat. No. 3,216,513. These seals each comprise a rotating metalring 84 and a relatively fixed metal ring 86. The two rings 84, 86 makecontact within a radial face and are urged together by elastomeric rings88 which resiliently back each of the rings 84, 86.

According to the invention, the seal chambers are formed partially byrecesses within the cutter wheel rim 76 and partially by annular groovesformed within the side caps 32, 34. The side caps 32, 34 are providedwith central portions which bear axially against the inner or fixedraces of the bearings 74. The seal chambers are formed radiallyoutwardly of these inner portions of the side caps 32, 34. Axial portsclosable by plugs 90 may be provided in the side caps 32, 34 to provideavenues through which a suitable lubricant can be introduced into theregion of the bearings 74.

As best shown by FIGS. 1 and 5, complementary semi-circular grooves areformed in the outer periphery of the base portion 36 and the recess 24,to receive a semicircular key 92. This key 92 serves to lock the sidecap 32 in place axially (and hence the entire subassembly) but does notinhibit removal of the cutter wheel subassembly from the mounting frame10.

The base portions 36, 38 of the side caps 32, 34 may I be about equal inthickness to the side members 20, 22

(FIG. The exposed portions of the end caps and the like diameter innerparts of the base portions are shown to be thinner than the side members20, 22, and to be recessed relative to the outer faces of such sidemembers 20, 22 (FIG. 1). The ends of the shaft 62 are preferably alsoinset from the outer faces of the side members 20, 22.

From the foregoing, further variations, modifications, adaptations andusages of cutter assemblies for 6 l. A mounting structure for an earthformation cutter wheel, comprising:

a pair of spaced apart side members presenting a cutter wheel receivingspace therebetween, each said side member including a mounting recess;

a pair of side caps supportable by said side members, each said side capincluding a base portion sized to snugly fit within the recess of itsside member, and a narrower exposed portion, said base portion includinga shoulder where it stops and the narrower exposed portion begins;

a cutter wheel support shaft interconnected between said side caps; and

retainer members secured to said side members and overhanging saidrecesses to contact and bear against the shoulders of the base portionsof said side caps, with at least some of said retainer members beingdetachable from said side members so that they can be removed to permitinstallation of said side caps into, or removal of said side caps outfrom, said recesses.

2. Mounting structure according to claim I, further includingcomplementary key grooves formed in the base portion of a side cap andin its recess, and a key insertable into said grooves, to restrain saidside cap against axial movement.

3. Mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the said recessesand the base portions of the side caps are semicircular in shape, andthe exposed portions of the side caps are also semicircular in shape butof a smaller radius, resulting in the formation ofa generally radialshoulder at the boundary between the said base and exposed portions ofsaid side caps, with the distance between the inner radial boundaries ofthe two retainer members of each side member being greater than thediameter of the exposed portion of the side cap supported by such sidemember.

4. Mounting structure according to claim 3, wherein complementarysemicircular key grooves are formed in the base portion of a side capand in its recess, and a semicircular key is insertable into said keygrooves for restraining the side cap against axial movement.

5. Mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein coaxial openings areprovided through the side caps for receiving said cutter wheel supportshaft, and wherein the opposite side boundaries of the cutter wheelsupport shaft are at least substantially within the boundariesestablished by the opposite outer side surfaces of the side members.

6. Mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein each side cap isformed to include an axially inwardly opening circumferential grooveforming at least a portion of a seal chamber.

7. For use in mining earth formations, a cutter wheel assembly,comprising:

a pair of spaced apart side members presenting a cutter wheel receivingspace therebetween, each said side member including a mounting recess;

a pair of side caps supportable by said side members each said side capincluding a base portion sized to snugly fit within the recess of itsside member, and a narrower exposed portion, said base portion includinga shoulder where it stops and the narrower exposed portion begins;

a cutter wheel support shaft interconnected between said side caps;

means supporting an annular cutter wheel for rotation about said supportshaft; and

retainer members secured to said side members and over-hanging saidrecesses to contact and bear against the shoulders of the base portionsof said side caps, with at least some of said retainer members beingdetachable from said side members so that they can be removed to permitinstallation of said side caps into, or removal of said side caps outfrom said recesses.

8. A cutter wheel assembly according to claim 7, wherein said meanssupporting the cutter wheel for rotation about said support shaftincludes bearing means, and wherein said side caps include axiallyinwardly opening annular grooves which help define a seal chamberbetween each side cap and an adjacent portion of the cutter wheel, and arotary-to-nonrotary seal is located within each seal chamber.

9. A cutter wheel assembly according to claim 8, wherein the saidrecesses and the base portions of the side caps are semicircular inshape, and the exposed portions of the side caps are also semicircularin shape but of a smaller radius, resulting in the formation of agenerally radial shoulder at the boundary between the said base andexposed portions of said side caps, with the distance between the innerradial boundaries of the two retainer members of each .side member beinggreater than the diameter of the exposed portion of the side capssupported by such side member.

10. A cutter wheel assembly according to claim 9, wherein complementarysemicircular key grooves are formed in the base portion of a side capand in its recess, and a semicircular key is insertable into the keygrooves for restraining the side cap against axial move-

1. A mounting structure for an earth formation cutter wheel, comprising:a pair of spaced apart side members presenting a cutter wheel receivingspace therebetween, each said side member including a mounting recess; apair of side caps supportable by said side members, each said side capincluding a base portion sized to snugly fit within the recess of itsside member, and a narrower exposed portion, said base portion includinga shoulder where it stops and the narrower exposed portion begins; acutter wheel support shaft interconnected between said side caps; andretainer members secured to said side members and overhanging saidrecesses to contact and bear against the shoulders of the base portionsof said side caps, with at least some of said retainer members beingdetachable from said side members so that they can be removed to permitinstallation of said side caps into, or removal of said side caps outfrom, said recesses.
 2. Mounting structure according to claim 1, furtherincluding complementary key grooves formed in the base portion of a sidecap and in its recess, and a key insertable into said grooves, torEstrain said side cap against axial movement.
 3. Mounting structureaccording to claim 1, wherein the said recesses and the base portions ofthe side caps are semicircular in shape, and the exposed portions of theside caps are also semicircular in shape but of a smaller radius,resulting in the formation of a generally radial shoulder at theboundary between the said base and exposed portions of said side caps,with the distance between the inner radial boundaries of the tworetainer members of each side member being greater than the diameter ofthe exposed portion of the side cap supported by such side member. 4.Mounting structure according to claim 3, wherein complementarysemicircular key grooves are formed in the base portion of a side capand in its recess, and a semicircular key is insertable into said keygrooves for restraining the side cap against axial movement.
 5. Mountingstructure according to claim 1, wherein coaxial openings are providedthrough the side caps for receiving said cutter wheel support shaft, andwherein the opposite side boundaries of the cutter wheel support shaftare at least substantially within the boundaries established by theopposite outer side surfaces of the side members.
 6. Mounting structureaccording to claim 1, wherein each side cap is formed to include anaxially inwardly opening circumferential groove forming at least aportion of a seal chamber.
 7. For use in mining earth formations, acutter wheel assembly, comprising: a pair of spaced apart side memberspresenting a cutter wheel receiving space therebetween, each said sidemember including a mounting recess; a pair of side caps supportable bysaid side members, each said side cap including a base portion sized tosnugly fit within the recess of its side member, and a narrower exposedportion, said base portion including a shoulder where it stops and thenarrower exposed portion begins; a cutter wheel support shaftinterconnected between said side caps; means supporting an annularcutter wheel for rotation about said support shaft; and retainer memberssecured to said side members and over-hanging said recesses to contactand bear against the shoulders of the base portions of said side caps,with at least some of said retainer members being detachable from saidside members so that they can be removed to permit installation of saidside caps into, or removal of said side caps out from said recesses. 8.A cutter wheel assembly according to claim 7, wherein said meanssupporting the cutter wheel for rotation about said support shaftincludes bearing means, and wherein said side caps include axiallyinwardly opening annular grooves which help define a seal chamberbetween each side cap and an adjacent portion of the cutter wheel, and arotary-to-nonrotary seal is located within each seal chamber.
 9. Acutter wheel assembly according to claim 8, wherein the said recessesand the base portions of the side caps are semicircular in shape, andthe exposed portions of the side caps are also semicircular in shape butof a smaller radius, resulting in the formation of a generally radialshoulder at the boundary between the said base and exposed portions ofsaid side caps, with the distance between the inner radial boundaries ofthe two retainer members of each side member being greater than thediameter of the exposed portion of the side caps supported by such sidemember.
 10. A cutter wheel assembly according to claim 9, whereincomplementary semicircular key grooves are formed in the base portion ofa side cap and in its recess, and a semicircular key is insertable intothe key grooves for restraining the side cap against axial movement.